Electric switch.



PATENTED JUNE 2, 1908.

A. A. WOHLAUER. ELECTRIC SWITCH- APPLICATION FILED mm: 25, 1907.

i g a4, A TTOHNEYS 1 fa /i %NTOH L T ALFRED A. WOHLAUER, OF NEW YORK, N.-Y.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

v No. 889,566.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2, 1908.

Application filed June 85, 1007. Both-l No. 880,785.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED A. Won- LAUER, a citizen of the Empire ofGermany, residing in New York, in the borough of Manhattan, county andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElectric Switches, of which the following is a s ecification.

This invention re ates to an im roved electric switch or cut-out bywhich t e spark on. breaking contact is confined in a vacuumtube so thatdanger of fire and the wearing out of the metallic contacts is preventedand an effective and quickly operated switch obtained. I w

With this end in view, the invention consists in an electric switch orcut-out which embodies contacts mounted so that they 0 pose one another,and a vacuum-tube part y lled with mercury mounted to turn between saidcontacts and to electrically connect and disconnect thesame.

The invention consists further in other novel features of construction,as will be hereinafter pointed out in the description and claims. 7

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 re resent front-elevationsof my improved e ectric switch or cut-out, showing the samerespectivelyin position'for closing the circuit, and when the same is broken,

.Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of the same through thevacuum-tube, on line 3, 3, Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a vertical transversesection on line 4, 4,- Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a detail sideview of thevacuum tube.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresp onding parts throughoutthe several figures. Referring to the drawings, a represents thefoundation-plate of my improved electric switch or cut-out. Thefoundationplate a is preferably made of orcelain or other suitableinsulating materia It is provided with a central depression I) and araised rim b concentric thereto. At diametrically-op osite points of therim 1) are arranged, flus with the inner circumference of the rim,metallic contact-plates d, d which are fastened'to the rim by screws (1or other suitable fastening devices. Across the depression b is placed avacuum-tube e, which is made of glass, and rovided with metallic caps eat the ends, saig caps having the same curvature as and forming closecontact with the contact-plates d, d.

The vacuum-tube e is closed at both ends and provided at each end withan electrode f of c'arbon,tungsten or other suitable material, theelectrodes being sealed-in in a manner similar to the electrodes in thewellknown mercury-lamps. The vacuum-tube is partly filled with mercury,after which it is exhausted and sealed in the usual way, the "small tiptin the glass-tube indicating the proper place for the pump-connection.The vacuum-tube e is swiveled at the center by means of ametallic ring ewhich is insulated from the tube by, a rubber ring 0 The ring c has athumb-piece h at its upper side for operating the switch while its 0posite or lower part is provided with a stu or pin h which enters acentral socket h in the foundationplate a. Thestud or pin it serves as apivot and the socket h as a step-bearing for the same.

When the vacuum tube is placed in position in the foundation plate a andits metallic-caps e in contact with the metallic contacteplates d, d, asshown in Fig. 1, the mercury establishes contact between the twoterminal electrodes f, so that the circuit is closed. VlThen thevacuum-tube is turned into inclined or vertical position, out of con-.tact' with the diametncally-disposed contact-plates, the up ermostelectrode or termina is first move out of the mercury and thereby thecontact with the contact-plates interrupted and the circuit 0 ened as nocurrent can then fiow through the unsubmerged electrode. When the vacuumtube is partly turned into inclined position, a small arc 's formedbetween one electrode at the po'in This,-however, immediately disappearswith currents below 0.75amperes, as the vacuum in the'glass-tubeprevents the keeping up 'of the arc and neutralizes the spark.

sition, the contact with the contact-plates is entirely interrupted, nocurrent passing through. the vacuum-tube owing to the entirevinterruption of the contact of the caps with thecontact-plates on thefoundationlate. When the switch is turned back into oriz'ontal positionthe contact of the caps the mercury and e1ectrodes,'is established, andthereby the circuit closed again with little, if any, sparkin ta 'n'gplace.

The advantages 0% m improved electric switch or cut outare wherethemercury recedes from the electrode.-

with the contact-plates, as well as betweenthat sparking is reduced to aminimum owing to the gradual When the vacuum-tube is in a verticalpobreaking or closing of the circuit,,.and that a verfefiective andeasily-operatlng swltchis obtained, es ecially for high tensionpurposes.

Having t us described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. In an electric switch or cut-out, the combination, with the opposingcontacts, of a mercury-containing vacuum-tube swiveled intermedi'atelyof its length to move in the plane of said contacts and arranged toengage at its ends with the latter.

2. In an electric switch or cut-out, the combination, with the opposingcontacts, of a swiveled vacuum-tube to establish electricalcommunication between said contacts, said vacuum-tube being partlyfilled with mercury and provided with sealed in electrodes, and metallicend-caps to coact with said contacts.

3. In an electric switch or cut-out, the combinatiomwith the o posingcontacts, of a vacuum-tube swiveled between the same, said tube beingartly filled with mercury f and rovided wit sealed in electrodes, and

meta lic end-caps to coact with said contacts.

4. In an electric switch or cut-out, the combination of afoundation-plate having a socket, contacts mounted at either side ofsaid socket, a mercury-containing vacuumtube to establish electricalcommunication between said contacts, and a ring embracin said tube andhaving a pivot turning in said socket and a thumb-piece by which saidtube may be turned.

5. In an electric switch or cut-out, the

combination of a foundation-plate having a depression and an upstandingrim encirchng the same, contacts ap lied to the inner surface of saidrim at -ametrically opposite points,v and a mercury-containingvacuumtube to electrically connect said contacts swiveled to said platewithin said depression.

6. In an electric switch or cut-out, the combination of afoundation-plate, a rim forming a depression at the upper surface ofsaid plate, contacts a plied to the inner surface of said rim, an amercury-containing vacuum-tube swiveled to said plate within saiddepression and having end-caps to engage sald contacts.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signedmy name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALFRED A. WOHLAUER.

Witnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL, FANNIE FlsK.

